MarkyM3

Hi Hummin...thanks for the info. I've been in touch with them today, as it happens. They didn't try to sell me that package except as part of a screening for joining their TRT program, which I won't be since I'm already under treatment in the UK, where I reside most of the time. I don't need the bits outside of the hormone panel because they are stable for me over time. I've asked for the following: Free T (T + SHBG + Albumin) E2 Prolactin Thyroid (TSH + free T4. I'm take 50mcg Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism so free T3 isn't useful to check) Cost is 5000 baht. I did check with the place Greg mentioned and it was barely any cheaper. Plus I live in the Sukhumvit area anyway, so I'm going to go with these guys. I already use Tostran gel daily applied so I've asked if they can do the blood draw mid-afternoon, to try and get a T figure roughly between peak and trough. Will see. Cialis was also mentioned in this thread. I did use daily 5mg for some time and I have read studies show that it has suppression effects in the long term on aromatisation of T to E2. So I'm feeling that plus using Anastrozole use may have pushed my E2 down too far. I'll be interested to see, anyways. Seems some treatment places are favouring the daily use of 2.5 or 5mg Cialis now as it apparently has other favourable properties in the endocrine system, rather than for it's usual use for ED treatment. Do you use HCG btw? UK public health doesn't prescribe it as an adjunctive to T. It's either or, whereas private specialists seem to be more into the idea of using both. Certainly, it's something I want to look at with a private TRT specialist, along with the rest of my treatment protocol, when I return to the UK.

OK cheers. I did message Pathlabs via FB Messenger asking about the tests I want but I'll try Max if I get no joy there. I'm only in Thailand for a few more months before I return to UK and I'm planning to hire a private specialist as soon as I get back. I get it all free on public health for now (and probably can continue to get T via that method) but my experience is I probably know more about TRT than the endos I've had assigned to me. One of them tried to prescribe 1mg of Anastrozole per day - <deleted>...I obviously declined.

With Nebido, I was doing 0.25mg pf Anastrozole twice one week, then one 0.25mg on the other week. Any more got me too low over time. But.... I could also seem to go the other way and get E2 readings over the recommended max which made it so hard dialling in Anastrozole on Nebido (I requested full blood tests before every injection, despite complaints from doctor/endo...). With the symptoms of high or low E2 being similar to some degree, it really makes it hard to know what's going on without a test. I switched back to Tostran after using it briefly in the past and I'm somewhat regretting it rn, given how I feel. I'm not sure what is going on with my T and E2 levels without a test. I can get my blood panels done free in the UK but I won't return there for over 2 months so would like some figures now. Fed up of <deleted> libido and it sure isn't helping my relationship with gf here, that's for sure.

Yep, I read up a lot on it. I'd rather not use it but found my E2 levels went high on both gels and Nebido if left unattended. A key problem is I seem to be very sensitive to it and a bit too much either way affects my readings a lot. Probably one reason why TRT has not been going well for me. Feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place rn! Btw...I'm currently getting 3mg of T (6 pumps of Tostran) daily. That's the recommended dose. My last Nebido injection was November 2021 so that should be out of my system now.

Which gel did you use? I'm on Tostran (Fortesta) again but unfortunately I'm having a worse experience than with Nebido, though I don't know if that's due to the AI (I have stopped used Anastrazole for last 12 days to see what happens but nothing positive, hence why I wanted to see if my E2 is out of whack here).

I am 51 now but may want kids still. So that's my main reason. Also, my balls have shrunk on this regime and I've seen a noticeable reduction in semen quantity though whether that's linked to it or not I don't know. I'd also like to know whether it has had an effect on my libido or not.

Thanks Greg. HCG doesn't tend to get prescribed as an adjunctive to T by UK doctors working in public health (which is where my treatment has been done). Typical protocol is either T + an AI if desired (and provided you have an reasonable endo - plenty are not) or HCG + AI if you explicitly want kids. I suspect that hasn't helped and I plan to see a private doctor specialising in this when I return to the UK and I'll pay for a private prescription for HCG. Been on various treatments for 3 years (Nebido, various gels) and not been happy with any of them. Also worried about testicular atrophy/sperm count due to the lack of HCG...might already to be too late in that dept given the time on TRT. I've tried Cialis (and Viagra) and it does work OK for me but I get side effects from them. They didn't boost my libido particularly imo, just helped downstairs but I've found the effect has worn somewhat, with Cialis at least, over time. I got good figures on Nebido but didn't really prove to be effective in reality imo. I find gels a total pain though and they aren't that good for my skin either.

Hi, Could anyone recommend a clinic or similar where I could go to get a blood test to check for testosterone, E2 (Estradiol) and perhaps a few more TRT indicators and a rough idea of what that might cost? I've been on TRT in the UK for a while and had to change my protocol shortly before I came to Thailand at beginning of year from Nebido injections to Tostran (aka Fortesta) gel. Not been feeling good at all lately (libido is terrible) and I don't return to UK for another 2+ months and don't really want to wait until I get back to be checked. My reason for wanting to check E2 is I have been using anastrozole (Arimidex) as an AI inhibitor but not sure if I'm underusing or overusing this now with the gel, given how I feel. It's powerful stuff and unfortunately the symptoms of going too far either way are apparently pretty similar ???? TIA

So...to be totally clear....C19 extensions for those who entered on SETV is at CW? And - are they done at the same desk as the SETV extensions?

I thought that place was for people who entered on visa exempt entries? I'm came on a SETV which I've extended.

Thanks...presume I need to ask my hotel for a copy of the TM30 (I've never seen it)? Is it the same desk for doing these Covid extensions (think it was area K, desk 24 or something?).

Hi, Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere but can someone clearly set out how to go about getting a Covid extension? I arrived from UK in early February on a 60 day SETV and extended that by 30 days at Chaeng Wattana last month. My visa extension expires on 3rd May so I'm planning to go back for the Covid extension towards end of next week. What differences in procedure are there between doing the Covid extension versus the 30 day SETV extension I did (booking of appointment, forms to take, fill out etc.)? I'm looking to stay for the full 60 days of this extension (returning to UK at the end of June). Thanks in advance...

Really? Nowhere in the UK sells genuine Tadalafil for 400 baht per 8 * 20mg tablets, nowhere near. It's around 700 baht for 8 and that's using the cheapest online pharmacy in the UK. I get a discount for buying bigger quantities because I have a prescription. You say Diamond Pharmacy will sell it for 400 baht for 8 (50% of what I paid). I need to buy another 30 or so 20 mg tablets. But not inclined to travel half way across BKK (I live in Suk area) unless someone can verify by means of having bought it there or another place that I paid double the going rate for genuine Tadalafil in BKK.

FYI....Cialis is the official Pfizer branded product. However, it is no longer protected by a patent anymore and can be manufactured as a cheap generic. The compound is Tadalafil. They are all the same thing, provided the manufacturing is done correctly. Branded Cialis at 2000 baht is probably not too far off the mark tbh but you're paying for the name. And it could just as easily be bootlegged as a generic. I am the OP and I bought generic Tadalafil, sold here as brand name Apcalis (made in India), for 100 baht per tablet at the pharmacy kennw mentioned. No problems at all. I have a prescription for it in the UK and that's about right price compared to what I pay in the UK. I have my doubts it's gonna be 50% cheaper in a legit pharmacy in Bangkok but happy to be proved wrong. Anyone buying from a sidewalk vendor needs their head examined - even if its legit, being kept in hot temperatures for a prolonged period isn't going to do it much good (needs to be stored <30c). Not a sex tourist btw, not that matters at all, but my logic tells me a pharmacy near Suk Soi 4 dispensing dodgy ED drugs would not stay in business too long as word got around. They probably sell more of those than most of the other stuff in the shop ????

Thanks for the heads up kennw ???? Took a stroll up to there today and found them straightforward to deal with. Paid 800 baht for 8 *20mg generic Tadalafil (brand name Apcalis) which is only a couple of pounds more than I paid at the most competitive online pharmacy back in UK. Packaging and leaflet looks genuine so hopefully all good. They didn't offer a bulk discount as far as I could see. Sold in packs of 4 at 100/baht per 20mg tablet. They don't sell the 5mg daily ones I mentioned.

I'm looking to buy some of the generic equivalent of Cialis, Tadalafil. I believe it's marketed under the name "Apcalis" here??? I have a prescription for 5mg generic Tadalfil daily back in the UK, however I'm going to run out of that fairly soon because my visit to LoS is overrunning by a couple of months. So need to restock . Would prefer to purchase the 5mg daily if it's available here and priced reasonably but willing to cut the 10mg or 20mg pills if required. Any recommendations for reputable pharmacies in the Sukhumvit area (I'm near soi 10)? And roughly how much should I expect to be charged (always aware there are going to be potential rip-off merchants)? As a guide price, I pay just under £23 for a 28 day supply of 5mg generic back in the UK. cheers.....

Cheers....I'll try them if I don't get anywhere with the people in Qatar. Not a biggie but indicative of lacklustre service....was surprised to see so many complaints about Qatar on Trustpilot.

I'm having minor issues with QR at the moment. I'm due to return to London on 30th June in QR business class. The aircraft at time of booking for BKK-DOH was designated as a B777 with Q-Suites and I paid them £75 for a preferred seat. They have now changed the aircraft to an A380 and moved the flight back 1/2 hour (without telling me, only found that out when I logged on to their site to pay for a window seat for the DOH-LHR leg). Surprisingly, they have not returned the extra money I paid to them to use as credit to pick a new preferred seat. Raised a complaint 10 days ago to that effect to which I've not had any response, despite chasing on Facebook Messenger and getting a promise it was being escalated (their website is total carp - has no live chat and they only have a phone number in Qatar, despite promising 24 hour help for Privilege Club members). Looking at Trustpilot, seems QR have serious issues with customer service - despite calling themselves the world's best airline - and I'll probably use others for that reason in future. EVA Air also have a carp website but they are easy to contact by phone and helpful in the London office. Regards QR service in business. I found A380 was "OK" but the cabin is nothing special, no privacy at all. The bar on board was the best feature. The best business I've had to BKK was Gulf Air in the 787 - miles better than the QR cabin, near total privacy though the food was average. EVA Air very nice as well with excellent food. QR B777 Q-Suites DOH-BKK was alright but nothing stunning imo. Looking to go back to EVA Air and fly direct in future when they resume flights but they've hitched their charges a lot. Gulf Air will be alternative.

I've been in Bangkok since beginning of February, when I had to do a 7 day quarantine. Staying in Sukhimvit area and in Thailand until end of June. Have seen a pick up in people at my hotel in recent weeks. Pool area was fully occupied today by 11.30am. Can only assume people are not aware of the risk of testing positive on arrival or don't care. Several with kids and not expats...got to wonder what they are thinking tbh Was in Samui (Lamai) a few weeks ago. Quiet but not dead although many restaurants and hotels were closed. Extended my SETV by 30 days last week and was told I should be able to get a 60 day Covid extension for 1900 baht early next month.

Hi, I arrived on 3rd February on a 60 day tourist visa issued from the London Embassy. 3rd April is my exit date in the passport, which is a Sunday. I'm aware I can extend by 30 days at an immigration office. Do I get the full 30 day extension even if I go in advance to immigration, or do I need to go as late as possible (presumably Friday 1st April?). I actually need to stay in Thailand until 30 June so is there any prospect of getting a 2 month extension due to C19 instead of 30 days? If not, then if I do a visa run in early May to get another 30 days, can I then extend this for 30 more days at immigration in Thailand? Many thanks

Another "Soviet democrat". Keep watching RT comrade ????

Flights from places like the UK don't overfly Russia usually heading to SE Asia. They would usually overfly Ukraine but can detour south. Happened during the aftermath of the MH370 shootdown However, places like Scandinavia and northern Europe will be affected a bit as they would typically fly over land. They will have to track further south and overfly Black Sea route like UK flights would.

Have you been watching the news today? Much of the money is held in overseas, mainly in Euros. They can't get hold of it due to the SWIFT expulsions - which are very much meaningful sanctions, particularly since Vlad and his cronies also can't get hold of their billions salted away overseas. Meanwhile, the ruble is collapsing and interest rates were doubled to 20% today. You may also have seen pictures of people queueing around the block trying to get money from ATM's. Russian stock market closed today, companies being told to divest themselves of foreign assets to raise hard currency. I therefore think your interpretation of them being in a position of strength is way wide of the mark - just as the justification for the invasion of Ukraine was (nazis, drug takers - yep, sounds plausible). China abstained from the vote and are sitting on the fence. As did India and the UAE. They did not give Russia tacit backing. The "special military operation" - which is a full scale invasion, make no mistake - is not going to plan and a cornered Vlad is the biggest danger. Did you see the look his military staff gave him when he said he was raising the status of nuclear forces? He looks to have lost the plot mentally.

So all the tales of hospital bills on here being renegotiated are hearsay. Mmmkay.

Plenty of anecdotal evidence on this forum of hospital fees being rapidly renegotiated downwards when the customer complains.